Method of selectively eradicating weeds from carrot plots



Patented June 20, 1950 UNITED METHOD OF SELECTIYELY ERADICATING WEEDS FROM CARROT PLOTS Miller W. Swaney, Weatfleld, and Leo Z. Jasion,

Elizabeth, N. .I.,-uslgnors to Standard Oil Development Company, a corporation of Delaware No Drawing. Application August 2, 1947, Serial No. 785,816

3 Claims. (01. 'u-sm i 1 This invention relates to improvements in materials for checking the growth of plants growing in cultivated ground to the detriment of the main prop.

An object of this invention is to provide ma- I terial suitable for use as selective herbicides in the raising of vegetables. Another object of this invention is to provide a material which destroys weeds in vegetable beds anddoes not injure the vegetables.

lWe have found that aliphatic hydrocarbons in the normal Cm to normal C1: range are unusual- Lv selective in their herbicidal action on weeds and grasses in the presence of carrots, parsnips, celery, and similar vegetables. When these compounds are applied to beds of these vegetables the weeds are destroyed and the vegetables are unharmed.

Prior to this invention it had been assumed that the value of selective hydrocarbon herbicides for use on carrots lay in-the aromatic compounds present. We have found that the aliphatic hydrocarbons in the beforementioned range are more selective in their herbicidal action and that the aromatic compounds actually harm useful plants.

The following examples will more clearly distinguish this invention.

Example 1 The following pure hydrocarbons were sprayed on potted coleus plants:

Boiling Point Action on Coleus blumei -iim-tom It should be noted that only the open chain series show any degree of selectivity. The aromatic compounds were toxic in every test.

Example 2 Various pure hydrocarbons were applied to plantings of carrots and weeds including clover and cereal grasses under identical test conditions, i. e.-spraying of the foliage from a low pressure in sprayer at an atmospheric temperature of 80 F. The results were recorded at various intervals 4 for several days after spraying. All plants were at the same stage of growth. In all cases the toxic symptoms did not change after the first day Toxicity to Plants Indicated Type of Hydromrbon Carrots Clover Grasses Aromatics:

T l ene Xylene DroDyl-t0lueneo ggf y aphtha n-O ctene-l n-Dwene-L n-Dodeoene-l. n-Tetradecene -l n-Heradeeane a5 n-Octadecane m1 rinses"... +-slightly toxic. --non-toxic.

40 The selectiveaction is thus more strikingly brought out. Of the entire group, only n-decane, n-decene, n-dodecane and n-dodecene performed perfectly in killing all the plants except the carrots, which were not harmed in the least.

Example 3 n-Decane: carrots completely unharmed, grasses and weeds killed completely.

Thus, in actual field practice, it is clear from these data that pure n-decane and n-dodecane performed completely selectively for eliminating weeds from carrots.

Example 4 A hydrocarbon fraction boiling in the range 01 340-425 F. substantially the n-decene to n-dodecane range, was prepared by a hydrocarbon synthesis process from carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence oi an iron type catalyst. This fraction composed of straight and branch chained alkanes and alkenes was used to spray weedy carrot planting.

The result of the sprayings was that all weeds and grasses were completely eradicated and no harm at all was done to the carrots.

The advantages of this invention in scientific crop control are readily discemable.

The above examples are not to be construed as limiting either the method 01' application of our composition or the vegetables to which it may applied.

We claim:

1. A method of selectively eradicating weeds from carrot plots which comprises distributing a composition consisting essentially of alkanes and alkenes boiling between 340 to 425 F. atmospheric and being free of aromatics so as to effect contact of the composition with the weeds.

2. A method of selectively eradicating weeds from carrot plots which comprises distributing a composition consisting essentially of alkanes boiling between 340 to 425 F. atmospheric and being free of aromatics so as to effect contact of the composition with the weeds.

3. In a process for selectively eradicating weeds from carrot plots with herbicidal composition wherein the herbicidal composition is distributed into intimate contact with the weeds, the improvement which comprises using a composition consisting essentially of alkanes boiling between 340 to 425 F. atmospheric and being free 0! aromatics as the herbicidal composition.

MILLER W. SWANEY. ,LEO Z. JASION.

REFERENCES crrEn UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name 9 Date 2,079,827 Volck May 11, 1937 2,096,885 Donlan Oct. 26, 1937 2,160,929 Warner June 6, 1939 2,186,500 Lyman July 18, 1939 2,174,507 Tinker Sept. 26, 1939 2,209,905 Ralston July 30, 1940 2,218,787 Catchings Oct. 22, 1940 2,221,772 App Nov. 19, 1940 2,374,387 Shipp Apr. 24, 1945 2,405,775 Bradley Aug. 13, 1946 OTHER REFERENCES Sweet: Oil Sprays for Weeding Carrots,"

Mimeograph Bulletin V33, Apr. 1945, from N. Y. State College 0! Agriculture at Cornell University, (pages 1-5). 

1. A METHOD OF SELECTIVELY ERADICATING WEEDS FROM CARROT PLOTS WHICH COMPRISES DISTRIBUTING A COMPOSITION CONSISTING ESSENTIALLY OF ALKANES AND ALKENES BOILING BETWEEN 340* TO 425*F. ATMOSPHERIC AND BEING FREE OF AROMATICS SO AS TO EFFECT CONTACT OF THE COMPOSITION WITH THE WEEDS. 